Dragon Age Dragon Age: The Veilguard Pre-Release Thread [GAME RELEASED, GO TO NEW THREAD]

[Space Satan]

God I hate these troglodytes,

GamesRadar+ article.

Incel Age: Soyguard

 

[jackofshadows]

So a fucking necromant as a party member is ok but blood magic is a no no? What a bunch of clowns lmao.

 

[Camel]

God I hate these troglodytes,

GamesRadar+ article.

Blood magic became not politically correct for BioWare. Ironic considering how hard DA:O tried to be edgy and grimdark.

 

[gruntar]

So a fucking necromant as a party member is ok but blood magic is a no no? What a bunch of clowns lmao.

Don't worry, they'll make necromancy woke and lame. He's probably going to ask corpses for consent before reanimating them.

 

[Camel]

Oh great, BioWare included the combat wheel in addition to the dialogue wheel. They still use the ME 3 combo mechanic too and why is everything so purple?

 

[Old Hans]

why is everything so purple?

ive been wondering that for a while. That purple color is in so many games lately, and it makes me sick

 

[BlackAdderBG]

why is everything so purple?

ive been wondering that for a while. That purple color is in so many games lately, and it makes me sick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexual_lighting

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

Minrathous is the capital city of the Tevinter Empire. It’s also a mage-ocracy; mages run the entirety of the Empire – they’re all-powerful. A lot of them still believe in slavery, they keep slaves, it’s a very oppressive, totalitarian regime.

The article says "Slavery" and the thing that triggers you is "Totalitarian"?

 

[9ted6]

Even if the end result's going to be a pozzed pile of trash you have to admit Bioware is doing the most sensible thing by going all in on the companions and their appeal to drive sales.

What little fandom Bioware has left is all about the (often literally) gay companion fuckery and it's all any of them care about. Nearly every fan post is about how excited they are to see x again or how eager they are to get z's sex scene.

BG3 proved that if you focus heavily on the coomers and waifufags of the audience, it doesn't matter if your game barely has any actual gameplay. You can throw a fucking bear sex scene in there and it'll still sell because your target audience will buy it.

Whereas BG3 had a flimsy and shallow gameplay structure around its companions it seems like Bioware is lasering in on the companions and making everything else an afterthought entirely, and again that really is their only chance of success. Not even the most retarded redditor is gonna buy this shit for its stellar visuals, storytelling or tactical combat.

Make a glorified dating sim at the lowest possible cost in the shortest possible time, spew some woke bullshit about ethics and make sure everyone knows it has full nudity sex scenes then sit back and hope EA doesn't shut down your company the next day.

>muh ethics

Bioware are just lazy and want to skimp on reactivity.

That's exactly what this is about. Minimal effort masked as social credit. Many of them no doubt consider being bad in a game 'eww", so in order to reach consensus - that all-important compromise to all cow brains and their orbiters, they have to nix the nasties.

Same reason they're making all the NPCs unquestioningly playersexual. They won't need to record gender or race specific lines.

 

[Hammer Of The Heretics]

The article says "Slavery" and the thing that triggers you is "Totalitarian"?

I'd argue that totalitarianism is worse. A government that upholds slavery denies the rights of the slaves. A totalitarian government denies the rights of *everyone*.

 

[SmoothPimp]

The article says "Slavery" and the thing that triggers you is "Totalitarian"?

I'd argue that totalitarianism is worse. A government that upholds slavery denies the rights of the slaves. A totalitarian government denies the rights of *everyone*.

Libtard.

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

argue

Stop arguing, yapper of the erotics.

 

[Cryomancer]

God I hate these troglodytes,

GamesRadar+ article.

OMG.

Magic in DA:O is inferior to BG1/2 in every aspect except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

But Baizuos hate cool stuff.

I want to do it :

 

[Lord_Potato]

Minrathous is the capital city of the Tevinter Empire. It’s also a mage-ocracy; mages run the entirety of the Empire – they’re all-powerful. A lot of them still believe in slavery, they keep slaves, it’s a very oppressive, totalitarian regime.

The article says "Slavery" and the thing that triggers you is "Totalitarian"?

Probably he means that 'totalitarian' has no use in the context of pre-modern society (since totalitarianism is an ideological product of modernity and is possible thanks to technologically advanced methods of surveillance and control). Absolutism would probably be better to describe the level of power wielded by the governing clssses of the Imperium. On the other hand, absolutism usually means a rule of one, and mages are many.

However, since Tevinter is a mage-ocracy, the wizards most likely invented some really devious methods of surveillance and control of the non-magical part of society not unlike these of a modern totalitarian regime, so perhaps the term is justified.

 

[Vic]

except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

I played a blood mage and I found very little use for the blood magic spells. The best one was still the combination of freezing and then shattering them.

 

[Tyranicon]

I've played a mage in all three games and I don't remember shit except the useless kungfu moves you do for basic ranged attacks.

And I only remember that because it looked cooler than the actual martials.

 

[Cael]

I've played a mage in all three games and I don't remember shit except the useless kungfu moves you do for basic ranged attacks.

And I only remember that because it looked cooler than the actual martials.

DOA mages don't do kung-fu moves. They had a staff and moved like they were getting recoil from the staff when it fired.

 

[Cryomancer]

except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

I played a blood mage and I found very little use for the blood magic spells. The best one was still the combination of freezing and then shattering them.

Taking control over an enemy ogre and doing AoE DoT damage + Paralise with a spell was quite powerful. Sure, there are better combos, but in cool factor, I liked all blood mage spells. Much more than the """"""""necromancy""""""" of inquisition which is merely a very capped down spirit tree from Origins.

 

[SmoothPimp]

kungfu moves you do for basic ranged attacks.

You are liar.

 

[SmoothPimp]

I heard a sentiment repeated throughout the day from the game's leads: in past Dragon Age games, BioWare stumbled onto great companions, but with Veilguard, it's the first game where the studio feels it purposefully and intentionally created great companions.

 

[SmoothPimp]

But in [Veilguard], in many ways, the companions are so fleshed out that it feels as though I'm going on a journey with them.

"As much as I adore the companions and the journeys I've been on with them in past Dragon Age titles – previously, it feels like companions are going on an adventure with me, the main character, whether it's the Hero of Ferelden or Hawke, you name it. But in [Veilguard], in many ways, the companions are so fleshed out that it feels as though I'm going on a journey with them.

 

[Heroic Liberator]

However, since Tevinter is a mage-ocracy, the wizards most likely invented some really devious methods of surveillance and control of the non-magical part of society not unlike these of a modern totalitarian regime, so perhaps the term is justified.

It wouldn't make sense regardless of surveillance methods in a premodern society, whether it's more inspired by ancient (i.e. Roman) or medieval forms of societal organization and economic life. And from the lore, Tevinter is just a typical oligarchy and the distinction between mages and non-mages just contributes to societal stratification without it being some absolute caste system. Both mages and non-mages can be enslaved (and freed respectively), both can serve in the military (as long as they're citizens) and everyone can own land and property. Being a mage is a requirement for being part of the upper house of their parliament (i.e. a house of lords of sorts, which in this case is the one that has real power) and for attaining higher ranks within the country's clerical structures, but that's about it. And a mage born of non-mage parents can attain all positions that are open to individuals of mage families (a.i. becoming higher ranking clergymen or magisters).

All common citizens of the Imperium who are non-mages are considered part of the Soporati ("sleepers") social class. This is a mainly human class whose members are allowed to own property and serve in Tevinter's military but have no real power in the nation's governance and are unable to attain a higher rank in the Imperial Chantry than mother or father. Often, they are found to be merchants or publicans (civil servants and leaders of the Legionnaires). However, when a Soporati family produces a mage child — a greatly desired outcome in Tevinter, unlike the rest of Thedas — it allows them entrance into the Laetan class and thus a higher social standing.

While Tevinter slaves used to be predominantly elven, they are now mostly a mix of elves and humans, though even dwarves and Qunari can become slaves. Mages can also be enslaved.

Slaves can only be legally freed before a judge, with their owner present to make the decree, or by the owner's will upon their death. However, freed slaves are still not considered citizens of Tevinter. Those who achieve freedom are instead sectioned into another class known as the Liberati. The Liberati functions as a subclass, and those within it are granted limited rights. Liberati are able to act as an apprentice in a trade or join a Circle of Magi. Liberati are also able to own land and property, but they cannot join the military and rarely have a say in governance.

 

[Semiurge]

Game director Corinne Busche agrees, adding that Veilguard's companions are "the most fully realized complex companions we've ever crafted." She also believes they're the Dragon Age series' best. "They're complicated, they have complicated problems, and that's what's interesting," she continues. "As much as I adore the companions and the journeys I've been on with them in past Dragon Age titles – previously, it feels like companions are going on an adventure with me, the main character, whether it's the Hero of Ferelden or Hawke, you name it. But in [Veilguard], in many ways, the companions are so fleshed out that it feels as though I'm going on a journey with them. I'm exploring how they think and feel; I'm helping them through their problems. We're working through their unique character arcs. They feel like my dear friends, and I absolutely adore them."
Busche says these companions participate in the game's darker and more optimistic parts. "We've really moved into a place where you can have the highest of highs, and it can be colorful, it can be optimistic, but also, you can have the lowest of lows where it gets gritty, it gets painful, it gets quite dark. But throughout it all, there is a sense of optimism. And it creates this delightful throughline throughout the game."

Just how stupid does he think we are?

What a loaf of intestinal mucus, with flowery prose sprinkled on top.

As Neve Gallus is the companion I spent the most time with during my visit to BioWare, I asked Epler about this character and her role in the game. Here's what I learned: "So Neve is a private investigator in Minrathous. Minrathous is the capital city of the Tevinter Empire. It’s also a mage-ocracy; mages run the entirety of the Empire – they’re all-powerful. A lot of them still believe in slavery, they keep slaves, it’s a very oppressive, totalitarian regime. And Neve is a member of the Shadow Dragons, which is a rebel faction within Thedas that fights back against this mage-ocracy, fights back against this oppressive, very damaging regime that’s taken over the city, because she believes there’s good, and she is there for the common people. So if you’re not a mage in Tevinter, you are lower than dirt for a lot of people. She and the Shadow Dragons, in general, fight back, but Neve, in particular, is this character that represents this more, ‘voice of the streets, the voice of the common people.’ In previous Dragon Age games, you go to Orlais, you meet Emperor Celene, you meet Briala; we wanted to have a character that showed not just what is Tevinter at the top, but what is the average person who lives in Tevinter. And she is very much about, again, fighting oppression, fighting tyranny and, as a private investigator, finding clues and ways through problems that aren’t maybe as action-focused as some of the other companions."

*Bzzz* Rebel faction... fights back... mage-ocracy... fights back... oppressive, very damaging regime... for the common people... *bzzz*

That's the first party memeber I'd kill.

No wait - you won't be able to do that.

God I hate these troglodytes,

GamesRadar+ article.

Blood magic became not politically correct for BioWare. Ironic considering how hard DA:O tried to be edgy and grimdark.

Bioware's troons have turned Tevinter into some flanderized evil empire where even little girls kick their leashed non-magic slaves in the streets. They've slowly built up the place into that, Dorian's backstory in DA:I was just a taste. DA:O painted it in a more mysterious light, despite making it clear that it was where blood magic was/is practiced openly. They didn't go full retard with "Tevinter evul".

except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

I played a blood mage and I found very little use for the blood magic spells. The best one was still the combination of freezing and then shattering them.

The cost/pay ratio of those spells sucked, as they all steal away your party members' health as I recall, while giving back less than the most powerful regular spells. Using bloodmagic was really more like a roleplaying choice where you accept the cost. Even then the NPCs not noticing breaks suspension of disbelief.

 

[Cael]

except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

I played a blood mage and I found very little use for the blood magic spells. The best one was still the combination of freezing and then shattering them.

The cost/pay ratio of those spells sucked, as they all steal away your party members' health as I recall, while giving back less than the most powerful regular spells. Using bloodmagic was really more like a roleplaying choice where you accept the cost. Even then the NPCs not noticing breaks suspension of disbelief.

The last ability in the DAO blood mage spec tree is an AoE crushing prison. It is pretty overpowered...

 

[Semiurge]

except Bloog Magic which is very cool both in lore and gameplay.

I played a blood mage and I found very little use for the blood magic spells. The best one was still the combination of freezing and then shattering them.

The cost/pay ratio of those spells sucked, as they all steal away your party members' health as I recall, while giving back less than the most powerful regular spells. Using bloodmagic was really more like a roleplaying choice where you accept the cost. Even then the NPCs not noticing breaks suspension of disbelief.

The last ability in the DAO blood mage spec tree is an AoE crushing prison. It is pretty overpowered...

Perhaps, but it seems that for this spell and all others to be available you need to enable the first sustained ability that converts all mana costs to health. Yours, if no allies are nearby.